He was rescued by local marine rescue volunteers, who also brought the boat and shark ashore.

The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) informed him it was a great white after taking it away - with help from a forklift - for an autopsy.

Mr Selwood admitted he had not experienced anything like that in 60 years of fishing.

"I've had 'em come up and brush the side of my boat, I've had a white pointer swim around my boat, I've had 'em take fish off my line, but I've never had one do this," he said.

However, he insisted the incident wouldn't put him off going out into the water again.

"It won't deter me from fishing, no way in the world," he said. "Really, it's not a great story, it's just a mundane thing that just happened and it's over and done with, but something that I'll remember."